Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. HOULAHAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 3588, the bipartisan Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act.

This is a very straightforward bipartisan bill. It would modernize the math curricula and improve K-12 science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, otherwise known as STEM, education in the United States.

We know that STEM education taught in schools today is simply not keeping pace with the rapidly evolving needs of the public and private sectors. We also know that this lack of skills has a direct correlation with the STEM skills shortage across our Nation.

To fix this, my bill will help schools update their math curricula to make them more relevant and applicable to real-world scenarios.

The National Science Foundation would be tasked with providing competitive grants focused on modernizing STEM education through mathematical and statistical modeling, including data-driven and computational thinking. It will also direct the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the same topic.

As an engineer myself and a former chemistry teacher and entrepreneur, I know firsthand just how vital this is for the next generation and for the future of our workforce in our Nation.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the United States will need 1 million additional STEM professionals than it is on track to produce in the coming decade alone.

Thankfully, with this legislation, we have the opportunity to provide tangible critical thinking skills to the next generation that will enable them to succeed in the workplace and beyond. It is far past time to bring problem-solving into the 21st century.

When I was in school, math was often portrayed as a one-dimensional skill that existed solely in the math classroom. Let's now show our students that a skill set in STEM is invaluable to analyzing trends on social media or predicting sports outcomes, and it is as valuable for that as it is to succeed in any chemistry class.

I am very grateful to Representative Jim Baird for joining me, to Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and Ranking Member Lucas for their leadership on this topic, and to everyone else who played a role in bringing this very important and bipartisan bill to the floor.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.

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